January 28, 2003

SENT: Tuesday January 28, 2003 11:34 am

Greetings!
Please allow me to encourage you. Today is Tuesday, and I am getting ready to go back up to the hospital to visit my dad. He has said that he is shutting down and not wanting to deal with this anymore. So hard to hear.

You know, it is times like this that the care-giver and even the prayer-supporter such as yourself have a desire to do something more, but what sometimes feel so helpless. (I know, long sentence)

Please allow me to remind you and encourage you with this:

Prayer is powerful and it is the most important thing anyone can do in all situations. Some times we want to do more, we feel helpless.

However, when we pray, we are turning it over to the one the battle belongsto. The King of Kings.

I draw this picture for you from the book of 2 Chronicles, chapter 20:

It talks of a time where the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat.

Now how about that? You got all kinds of armies hitting you from all sides, a little bit overwhelming! How would you react?

Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, a mass army is marching against you and they are getting close! Again, how would you react?

Jehoshaphat was alarmed by this news and sought the Lord for guidance. He also gave orders to everyone throughout Judah to observe a fast. He then stood in before the people of Judah and Jerusalem and prayed. In His prayer he first declared who God is. He is powerful and mighty, no one can stand against Him. Then he recalled who God was to them. How He had delivered them. Recalling God's faithfulness over the years.

O that we could all respond to stressful situations so quickly with prayer.

At the end of his prayer, he prays this: "O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help."

I think this can apply to us all sometimes, you just feel so powerless, but where does our help come from? Psalm 121 reminds us this from verse 1 and 2, "I look up to the mountains--does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth!
As all of the people stood there, the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there.

His name was Jahaziel, and this is what he said:

"Listen King Jehoshaphat! Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at then end of the valley that opens up into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged, Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!

This reminds me of the word the Lord gave Joshua as they prepared to cross the Jordan River. "Do not be afraid or discouraged, the Lord is with you wherever you go."

Then King Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground. And all the people did the same worshipping the Lord.

Early the next morning as the army went out into position, Jehoshaphat stopped and said, "Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in His prophets and you will succeed."

They then sent the singers out to the front line and they began worship and praise the King of Kings. They sang, "Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever."

At the moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.

Psalm 56:9 says, "On the very day I call to You for help, my enemies will retreat. This I know, God is on my side."

So, I say to you my valued friends:

When you think you are powerless or helpless and all you can offer is prayer..think again. You are communicating with the King of Kings! He is where our help comes from. The battle belongs to Him. Trust Him, keep your eyes on Him, listen to Him, believe Him, obey Him….now, go get into position and watch Him. The battle truly does belong to the Lord, so now I will praise Him!

Your prayers mean so much to my family. Thank you, you are appreciated.

You are valued!
God Bless!